Ryan Reynolds has been one of the driving forces, alongside Rob McElhenney, behind one of the most captivating stories in English soccer — leading Wrexham all the way to the EFL Championship, the second tier of English soccer. With his deep connection to the club and its players, the Hollywood star delivered an emotional farewell message to Paul Mullin.
As Wrexham prepare for the 2025-26 season, several roster changes are underway, one of which involves Paul Mullin. The iconic Wrexham striker has completed a season-long loan move to Wigan Athletic, meaning he won’t be part of the Red Dragons’ upcoming campaign.
Despite being one of Wrexham’s stars in recent years, recurring back problems forced Mullin to undergo surgery, sidelining him for much of the 2024-25 season. Before the operation, he started just nine league matches, making 17 additional appearances off the bench. The surgery was seen as a crucial step in his recovery.
Now joining third-division Wigan Athletic, Wrexham hope Mullin will regain full fitness. But that didn’t stop Reynolds from getting emotional over the departure of one of the club’s modern-day heroes. The co-owner took to social media to share a heartfelt message.
“I can’t imagine seeing Mulls on loan and in another kit. We wouldn’t be where we are without his heart, skill and work ethic. We love you, Paul Mullin. SPM,” wrote Reynolds, attaching a compilation of Mullin’s goals with his personal song playing in the background. The video closed with a message writing: “Take good care of him, Wigan. We love you, Paul.”
Paul Mullin: a Wrexham hero
Since arriving in 2021, Paul Mullin quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his prolific scoring. In the 2022-23 season, when Wrexham earned promotion from the National League, the Englishman scored an astonishing 38 goals in 46 matches. The following season in League Two, he added 24 goals in 38 appearances, solidifying his status as one of the division’s top players.
His minutes were limited last season due to his back injury, managing just 3 goals in 26 appearances. On his departure, manager Phil Parkinson said: “I’d like to wish Paul all the best for his loan move. It’s a good opportunity for him to get back to playing regular first-team football, and I’m sure he’s going to be a great signing for Wigan Athletic.”
Mullin has been a key figure since arriving from Cambridge United in the summer of 2021, scoring 110 goals across all competitions and playing a crucial role in Wrexham’s rise from the National League to the Championship in back-to-back promotions. Leaving a lasting legacy at Wrexham, Mullin will now focus on regaining his form, with hopes of reclaiming his place at the Red Dragons in the future.
